Give and Take

An image of time running out making End-of-Life Planning important.

End-of-life planning is crucial for ensuring your wishes are honored and easing the burden on loved ones. Discover 12 essential documents to consider in this comprehensive guide.

An image of a man using a stencil to paint similar to using a will template.

Discover the pros and cons of using a will template for your last will and testament. Learn about the legality, types, features, and when to consult an estate attorney.

Modern home floating on clouds, symbolizing how real estate gifts can elevate charitable impact and legacy giving

Nonprofits are leaving billions on the table—not because donors aren’t willing, but because fundraisers are too afraid to ask for real estate. Myths, fear, and ignorance have paralyzed the sector. Meanwhile, $35 trillion in property is changing hands over the next two decades. Still think bake sales will cut it? Like Willie Sutton said about robbing banks: “Because that’s where the money is.” Real estate is where the money is. The smart fundraisers already know it. Do you?

Vibrant tree with deep roots and silhouetted people holding hands, symbolizing unity, legacy, growth, and community impact

Most legacy societies fail quietly—created with enthusiasm, then forgotten. This guide breaks that cycle with a proven roadmap to build or revive a legacy society that truly works. You’ll learn how to choose a name that resonates, attract founding members, keep them engaged, and most importantly—sell through stories, not just tell them. Whether you're starting from scratch or dusting off an old initiative, this is your actionable playbook for legacy giving that inspires and endures.

An image of a lawyer and Ultimate Guide to Per Stirpes.

Learn the definition of per stirpes and discover how to name beneficiaries per stirpes in a will. This comprehensive guide provides clarity on estate planning and ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

An image about Donating Stock to Charity online.

Learn how donating stock to charity can maximize your impact and tax benefits. Discover the advantages, methods, and step-by-step processes in this comprehensive guide.

An image of an umbrella covering people much like a life insurance policy.

Learn how to designate a beneficiary for a life insurance policy to ensure your loved ones receive the financial support they need promptly and efficiently.

An image showing the differences between two things.

Explore the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts for your estate planning needs.

Intelligence centers for data analytics

Some nonprofits are exploring expensive analytics platforms for planned giving—complete with dashboards, donor heatmaps, and predictive scoring tools—"intelligence tools" as they are called. Often, these are rebranded business intelligence tools that have been given a "legacy twist" and called innovation. But here's the question: Is this the right tool for organizations like yours? These platforms can generate meaningful insights... if you have 2,000,000+ prospects to analyze. But when your donor file has less than 100,000 people, do you need predictive algorithms to tell you who cares about your mission?

An image of a scale comparing a living will to a last will.

Discover the crucial differences between a last will and a living will to ensure your medical and financial wishes are honored.

Where’s Your Elevator Pitch?

Master your elevator pitches. You have eight seconds to make an impression—are you ready? Whether it’s a reunion, a luncheon, or a chance encounter, your ability to start a meaningful conversation about legacy giving matters. This guide offers 25 ultra-brief, donor-specific elevator pitches you can memorize and use anywhere. Organized by giving vehicle and donor motivation, each one is crafted to spark curiosity and open the door to deeper discussion.

Watercolor rendering of children at play under a bright sun

Through legacy gifts, donors like Angela and Terrell Richards and Hilda and Arnulfo Miramontes are transforming lives at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their stories show how planned giving—through wills, trusts, and heartfelt commitments—ensures children battling catastrophic illnesses receive lifesaving care, free of charge. This article honors their legacies and invites readers to consider their own. Because leaving a legacy isn’t about wealth—it’s about impact, compassion, and giving children a future worth fighting for.

Bronze sundial casting a long shadow on stone, symbolizing timelessness and enduring values in fundraising.

Trendy fundraising tactics come and go—usually with little to show for it. The nonprofits that win big gifts and long-term loyalty understand one thing: donors are deciding if you’re worthy of their legacy. This article pulls no punches. It’s a call to abandon gimmicks and build something lasting. If you're serious about donor trust, planned giving, long-range impact—and your career—this isn’t just another blog post. It’s your wake-up call.

Hand holding a glowing key with text: How to Launch a Successful Planned Giving Program

Introduction: What Is Planned Giving and Why Does It Matter?  Planned giving, also known as legacy giving, is the art of securing future gifts from donors through their estate plans. These gifts are often the largest and most impactful contributions a donor will ever make—with the average planned gift ranging from 200-300 times larger than a typical annual donation. Consider how a small environmental nonprofit transformed its future with just three bequests in its first year of planned giving: these gifts secured enough funding to protect 250 acres of critical habitat in perpetuity. Yet, many nonprofits hesitate to launch their own planned giving program, assuming they lack the expertise or resources. The truth is: Planned giving is a people business, not a legal business™. And it’s never too early to start. This guide offers the most practical, scalable approach to launching a planned giving program—even if you’re a small nonprofit

Neglected boat stranded on dry land — a visual metaphor for abandoned nonprofit blogs and missed legacy opportunities

A bad blog doesn’t just look lazy—it proves it. In the world of planned giving, where trust and credibility matter most, an outdated or lifeless blog can quietly sabotage donor confidence. Learn why showing up halfheartedly online is worse than not showing up at all—and how to fix it before it costs you.

Paper-cut family and justice scale symbolizing estate planning, updating a will, legacy protection, and planned giving decisions

Most people create a will or trust and never look at it again. But life changes—marriages, births, moves, asset shifts—can render your estate plan outdated and ineffective. Failing to update it may mean your assets go to the wrong person or your heirs face unnecessary stress and taxes. Reviewing your estate plan ensures your wishes are honored and your legacy protected. It’s not morbid—it’s responsible planning.

An image of a grandparent with a grandchild showing guardianship.

Understanding the key differences between conservatorship and guardianship is crucial for the future care of loved ones.

Woman looking at computer monitor with limited options of planned gifts, with a sad face.

A retired farmer wanted to donate $202,000 in grain. One charity said no—“We only take cash and stocks.” Another said yes, turned it into a high-yield gift annuity, and gained a grateful donor for life. The first charity? Left with nothing. This isn’t about generosity—it’s about competence. When nonprofits cling to outdated rules, they don’t just miss gifts. They drive donors away. Inflexibility isn’t policy. It’s failure.

An image of a person filling out a form to change their will.

Learn how to update your estate planning documents with a trust amendment form. Understand the process, requirements, and differences between amendments, restatements, and codicils.

An image of two people struggling to communicate about per capita and per stirpes.

Discover the differences between per stirpes and per capita distributions in wills. Learn how these terms affect the inheritance of your estate.

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Making Estate Planning Accessible, Simple, Personal, Secure and FREE!

Bequests are up, cash is down. Empower your donors to plan their will and invest their legacy in the cause they support the most.

Please reach out. Note: if you give us your mailing address (or PO Box), we’ll send you a complimentary Planned Giving Gift Comparison Chart. 

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